After our day through all four seasons on Logora Pass we ended up in Himara, a small coastal town in southern Albania. We arrived just as the sun was setting and had a spectacular view of the Ionian Sea from our balcony.
The sunset over the Ionian Sea from our room in Himarë.
Himara is another town that looks like it has expanded quite rapidly into tourism but everything is still a bit rough and tumble. There are few restaurants, many of which were closed for the season as there are not many tourists around in late November. The ride getting here was spectacular in many ways, as you may have seen in the video. We were delayed by a day because of very nasty weather but spent a dry and comfortable afternoon and night in an unfinished, abandoned house.
We found shelter for the night in an unfinished house.The unfinished house we camped in waiting for better weather to climb Logora Pass.
Starry night from the house we camped in.
Our ascent up Logora Pass began under clear blue skies. We had gorgeous views behind us over the coastal plains around Orikum and even more spectacular mountain views with small villages dotting the landscape ahead of us.
Terraced fields along the road into Logora Pass.
With nice weather and amazing views, the long steady climb up the pass was enjoyable despite its steep incline. The climb to the top was almost 17 KM with an average grade of 6 per cent, but with steep final 7 KM and 10 per cent section getting to the pass.
Climbing Logora Pass in the sunshine.
About halfway through that steep section are some hotels and restaurants where we decided to take a break as the weather had changed quickly from sunny and warm to cold and raining. As we sat by the fire place enjoying a hot coffee, the rain turned to hail and looked like it might be more than just a passing squall. Thunder and lightning, and a power outage completed the gloomy picture.
Pushing up a steep bit in a snowy Logora Pass.
After about an hour, the downpour stopped and we quickly mounted our bikes to continue the final 3.5 KM climb and down the other side in the hope of avoiding the next storm cell.
Paul in Logora Pass at 1025 metres above sea level.
We got lucky but, as you saw in the video, we did have snow in the pass which made cycling a bit tricky. However, our big, fat Schwalbe tires have good profile and we got through it without incident, although it was very cold.
The road from Logora Pass down to Dhërmi.
The view down the other side was stunning. We could see the sea far below us as we came out of the clouds. Sun light playing on the azure water with the dark clouds and brooding mountain peaks around us painted a dramatic picture and we stopped often to make photographs.
Descending the road from Logora Pass down to Dhërmi.
The road slices down the steep mountainside and is a crazy collection of nine long hairpins over 10 KM. It drops 800 metres, producing an average grade of 8 per cent, ending up in Dhërmi, a town perched on the steep mountainside, where we took a break for lunch.
Dhërmi with the road from Logora Pass in the background.
The sun was shining again as the storm cells in the pass were now behind us. From Dhërmi we descended some more before climbing back up to nearly 400 metres through a dramatic landscape of cliffs and canyons. The final descent back to sea level had a dizzying steep section of nearly 12 per cent taking us into Himara.
Curves ahead.
After a hot shower we went out and found a restaurant that was open for yet another huge, carbo-intensive meal to help our bodies recover from a day that saw us climb more than 1,500 metres, nearly as much as our highest altitude gain in the Swiss Alps with one distinct difference: Albania’s mountains are quite a bit steeper than the ones we climbed in the Alps.
The next day from Himara to Sarandë along the southern Albanian coast was a 53-kilometre-long ride punctuated by climb after climb, totaling 1120 metres of altitude gain, with sections up to 7 per cent. And we were not done yet.
A wet ride to Sarandë.
To get out of Albania into Greece we were faced with one more pass up to 800 metres east of Saranda. The day began with the promise of new life as we watched a ewe clean her two new-born lambs while the rest of the flock grazed in the shrubby field beside the road.
Newly born lambs.
The weather cooperated nicely and it was a lovely ride with great fall colours and sweeping mountain vistas on the way up.
Fall colours in the Mt. I Gjer pass.A shepherd watching over his flock on the road through Mt. I Gjer pass.
Just down from the pass, as the landscape opened up into the Drin River Valley, we heard the tell-tale clanging of sheep bells and were stopped dead in our tracks by a large flock of sheep and goats on the road. The shepherds and dogs pushed them along as fast as they could but nothing was getting through. So, we just waited, enjoying the scene.
A flock of sheep and goats on the road down to the Drin River valley.
We arrived down in the Drin River Valley hungry and ready for a break after the day’s climb. A small town along the highway offered only one restaurant that was open but that was all we needed.
The cook in her kitchen.
When we asked for a menu, the cook spoke no English but took us into the kitchen and showed us the fare she had on offer. We each had a bowl of goulash and a bowl of rice and we shared a dish of roasted eggplant and zucchini, as well as some bread and a plate of fries. All that food plus coffee for about $10.
Thoroughly stuffed, we set out for the final kilometres along the flat valley bottom to the border with Greece. And so, one of the most intriguing countries of Europe lay behind us.Albania has many challenges ahead of it. Wages are low. Infrastructure needs work, especially the garbage situation, but what makes this place so amazing, besides the magnificent mountain and coastal scenery, is its people. They have spirit, are generous and will go out of their way to help you. We loved Albania and would go back given the opportunity.
Jan in the curve with the Drinos River valley below.The road to Sarandë.
What I can say, Jimmy?????… this is an amazing journey. It indeed is a dream. I wish…..
just getting ready to go up the mountain in Whistler. Working in the Red uniform today at -15 and with about 6 runs open!!!!No snow, clear sky and cold. Yummy…..
Loved this glimpse into Albania and your insights. It looks spectacular. Incredible to visit before the tourists descend.
Going to Whistler this w/end to hang out with Ivona, but I don’t plan to ski yet.
Take care!
Albania has steeper mountains than Swtzerland? Yikes! Love the photo of the ewe and her new babies. Must have been a special thing to see. I guess you’re both off to a wedding in Amsterdam this weekend. Have fun with your family and friends. Heading out for sushi, will send you a proper email soon, Jan. xoxo Dee
Wow, nice climbs you guys!
Here in Canmore Alberta, we have a nice -30c enjoying the dry and pure light of our freezing country. We love following you. Keep on pedalling!
2 l o v e c y c l i n g 
What I can say, Jimmy?????… this is an amazing journey. It indeed is a dream. I wish…..
just getting ready to go up the mountain in Whistler. Working in the Red uniform today at -15 and with about 6 runs open!!!!No snow, clear sky and cold. Yummy…..
Loved this glimpse into Albania and your insights. It looks spectacular. Incredible to visit before the tourists descend.
Going to Whistler this w/end to hang out with Ivona, but I don’t plan to ski yet.
Take care!
P.S. The sheep photos are really cool.
Hey guys, have a look at this great new bike wheel!! Steve
Albania has steeper mountains than Swtzerland? Yikes! Love the photo of the ewe and her new babies. Must have been a special thing to see. I guess you’re both off to a wedding in Amsterdam this weekend. Have fun with your family and friends. Heading out for sushi, will send you a proper email soon, Jan. xoxo Dee
Wow, nice climbs you guys!
Here in Canmore Alberta, we have a nice -30c enjoying the dry and pure light of our freezing country. We love following you. Keep on pedalling!
Nice to hear from you. Hope the rest of your tour went well. We’re almost in Istanbul.